My unbirthday present!

WOW it is not my birthday until November. However, I am so lucky that I have a sister who listens to my crazy dreams and we are having fun meeting up after I get off work and exploring some downtown galleries and boutiques. Last night we went to a new store called "Bows and Arrows". It is a vintage clothing, art, and cafe. We looked around had a few glasses of wine and then she got me this cool vintage suitcase. I love the size, I can even fit my 12x12 paper. I want to use it for my art supplies. Any ideas how to alter it??? 

Then I want to add to the inside too. Want to create a way to hold my pencils, paper and other supplies..  Any ideas??

Overload of thoughts

A few weekends ago we went up to Lake Tahoe, North Shore for a one night trip. It was a beautiful, simple trip and we did a little hiking too. The first night we were able to just get over to the lake before the sun set. I started to draw with my graphite pencils and then later added in the watercolor pencils. I am having fun drawing perspectives. The other thing is that I used my Maui journal. So I think I need to rename the journal as it is now has lots of areas. Oh well.. How do you keep your journals?? I think I would like to make more journals!

 

Now here is a camera view of the lake. Before we left, I took a picture at the same spot. The camera catches alot of shading. This is fun to see from the camera veiw compared to my drawing. So much to learn...

Moody Monday

My Mondays are moody for many reasons. It comes from wanting to cram so much into a two day weekend. Started the weekend going to a funny movie. My take on the humor was from being a boss and laughing to think about my staff and wonder what they daydream about when I am being edgy haha..  Also completed some good projects this weekend. The patio one is pretty much a honey-do project but I did help some. We've wanted to make some changes to our backyard patio. The brick boarder was not working. The ants loved the sand between the bricks and it was a mess! So we took the bricks out and put an aggregate boarder in. Not finish all the way but it is coming out nicely. It is adding so much more dimension and color with the pebbles.

Also I finished my first mail art postcard and worked on the second one. Still thinking about the third one. I will post all three when they are all done but here is a peak at the start of number 2.

Summer Sunday thoughts

Summer for me is busy. Well maybe not as busy as during school year but that is even changing. To start my baby is a Senior and a DRIVER.. yep she has an official driver licence as of Friday. So now she will be more independent. And this summer, I have more "me time" but I am filling that quickly. Last weekend I did a big jump. I joined an art swap (creative lenna swaps). For this swap, you must create 3 mail art postcards and the theme is "A summer's day..." My take will be water related for sure. Here is a peak at my first one. Created this palm tree from a stamp but made it with scrap paper. Sewed on the palm leaves and colored the coconuts. Well got to go and work on the backyard before it gets hot. Lots to be thankful for.. top 5

1. Creative thoughts happen everywhere

2. Daughter doing some of my errands

3. Learning to take simple approaches to life moments

4. Slow success on weight loss making big impacts

5. Fun with my family

Monday was One Year Anniversary

Hard to believe that as of Monday, July 4th, I have completed my first year blogging. I enjoyed creating art and making posts. A real favorite of this year is all the blogs I have visited and the wonderful blog friends I have made. I am learning so much and barely touched the surface of what I want to learn.

Some highlights this year...

 My first collage page.. from a class I took.

One collage I created myself.

 Moved into my craft room when older daughter came home from college and then moved out.

 My Editor and Chief.. he still lays on my desk when he thinks it is time to go to bed or he is hungry.. And will hit the delete button if I do not comply soon enough.

 My small book for younger daughter's 16 birthday.

 My 2010 collage book cover

 My first challenge entry at Inspiration Avenue

 My crazy scrap paper pumpkin.

 Retirement book for coworker.

 Open Spine Book made in a class and still working on filling up.

 Pen cup created from a sour cream container and runny paint.

 Older daughter's Christmas present.

 One hundred post give-away.

 2011 Collage book

 Fancy Cigar book I received from a coworker.

 My pay-it-forward art piece.

I look forward to more fun this coming year and continued friendship in blogland. Thanks for all those who come visit me and I appreciate all the wonderful comments and support.

Blessing...

Happy 4th of July

 Today brings sentiment and honor out in me. I love history and being a California Kid have learned a lot about my state history, the Gold Rush, the California Missions, and learned to appreciate the sweet nectar called tequila! Ha.. had to the add the last piece. But today brings out a sentiment that is a lot bigger. Though the country is young compared to others, the history is very interesting and honorable. We were watching an HBO mini series last night "John Adams". It showed some details that my memory or history lessons had forgotten. One was the flag above. I found today that George Washington used this on the Naval ships he commissioned with his own money to support the American Revolution. The large Pine tree was one symbol the colonies used to define their struggles and strengths. In honor of all these fore-fathers gave, I created some of the flags.

Here is the Betsy Ross flag that was used at the birth of our nation. I respect what these people and the military give to this day so that me and my family can enjoy freedom. Blessings to all today and thankfulness to those great people who did so much.

Sunday Red, White, and Blue

Here is a card I created this weekend.  This card is also for a challenge over at (2 Cute Rubber Stamps) with a theme of Red, White & Blue. I am still playing with the micro beads. It is tricky finding a good glue that will hold them permanently! Finding clear super adhesive tape is working better. Used silver for the stars and red beads for the firecracker. Used strips of red solid card stock with stamped hearts and the gingham type paper (reminded me of tablecloths on a picnic) for the base. Then created a firecracker and added the white cardstock label with "Happy 4th" with rub-on letters. Then for the flame, I used some yellow tissue paper with clear beads.

This being a holiday weekend, I am very thankful for the extra day to spend some creative time. There are several projects I want to work on. As it is Sunday, this is my top 5 thankful things.

1. Air conditioning, as it will be in the 100's today (UGH)
2. The beauty of nature
3. Finding some old things that I did not remember having
4. Appreciation of the learning process
5. Knowing that patience is what I need

Simple cards

Slipping in some art this week. I love to make simple cards. Daughter is going to a wedding and I made this card for her. It is a funny little one. I had fun creating the car with different pieces of card stock. Then created the cans with silver card stock and color paper for the labels. Tied them to the bumper with black crochet thread. Chalked in the sky and sun. Stamped the flowers, stems and the dirt road. Then for the final piece created a "Just Married" sign and taped to the car.

Then this is a little card made for a coworker. The paper had beautiful flowers and some gold glitter. I added some gold micro beads to the paper to give a little more texture.  Using my cricut, I cut out a butterfly body. Then I covered it with the gold micro beads. Then created the antennas with wire and a bead curved in at the top. Simple but pretty.

Sunday Mood

Weekends are a time for me to slow down, think differently, and rejuvenate! It is time that I am drawn to art. Yesterday was a great day and I did all three. My best friend (my sister) offered to meet me at one of my favorite Art stores Stamp Art Shoppe. I love to look at all the creative pieces and then the new products there. And then my favorite spot, the clearance boxes. One of my finds is this little birdy.. My new Blue Bird of Happiness! He is too fun. Then the icing on the cake is that we signed up for another journal making class at the end of July!!  I AM SO EXCITED.

It is the same place that I learned to create the Open Spine Book.

I really like making handmade books. Spins off my scrapbooking days, and then my love of art and creativity! It is a dream that I want to push forward someday. So there is the thinking differently and then we hung out the rest of the day at my sister's house. Swam, had a BBQ, and enjoyed wonderful time. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful sister and brother-in-law, don't know what I would do without them. I do know that I appreciate them SO MUCH! And my top 5 thankful things.

1. Creative minds

2. The best sister

3. Stamps

4. Giving myself time to dream

5. Accept the life I am living now to get to the life I want to have later

Wishing all a wonderful day and take care.

Sunday in jars

Some days and most Sundays, I wish I could put in a jar. I want to be able to do them over. I want to be able to finish it another time. Like some of the supplies I keep on my shelf. I want to have it there so that when I need it later I can use it. If you could put something in a jar to have later in your life what would it be or what did you keep in a jar and are using it now?

Today was a day that started out a little off but turned out good and my top 5 thankful items this week are..

1. Never a dull moment at work

2. A new exercise game for the Wii..

3. Keeping the faith

4. Patience

5. Remembering that what is difficult to achieve brings a strong satisfcation when done